Some seem Salty about Alexi's decision. Your thoughts?

Are we sure she would even be eligible for the Olympics? Isn't there a 1-year waiting period after gaining citizenship to represent your new country?

HardLoper wrote:

Are we sure she would even be eligible for the Olympics? Isn't there a 1-year waiting period after gaining citizenship to represent your new country?

Her article suggested that the idea started in 2014. Presumably the IAAF person who raised the idea shepherded her application through the process.

I don't care much either way, but the so-called "salty" responses do make sense. I mean, you start out with the feta, and then add in the olives, so yeah, it's going to get salty. But as my grandmother used to say, 'If you can't stand the brine, then get out of the Mediterranean." Or something like that -- her English wasn't all that good.

portlandguy wrote:

Dunbar seemed to have a a pointed tweet

https://twitter.com/DunbarTrevor/status/703335684434571264

What do you think of her decision.

Selfish? Unpatriotic?

Here we go again, idiot runners opening their mouths and revealing how truly ignorant they are... Up to their necks in knee deep hypocrisy.

I don't know Alexis Pappas. Trevor Dunbar seems like a solid guy.

But in the first place, you understand that the United States and Greece have diplomatic relations, right? There are countries for which the United States will not allow you to have U.S. citizenship while having their citizenship and vice versa. Dual citizenship and runners representing nations in which they do not currently reside happens all the time. So we only cry when it involves Americans? But not the Irish, etc.?

Second, you do understand the roots of Western Civilization in Ancient Greece, right? Our political institutions, basically almost all of Western philosophy and... in later Greece, the pivotal role Hellenistic civilization and the Greek language played in Christianity.

Greek immigrants and Balkans/East-Central European immigration to the United States in the waves of immigration before and after the turn of the 20th century also contributed a lot to American culture. How many moron runners on here stuff themselves full of street food and this cuisine and that, that were contributions of these immigrants? The list could go on and on.

This nonsense about "earned not given," is a bunch of baloney too.

And the nonsense about posters getting upset that Alexis Pappas is making a mockery of the sacrifices of soldiers and countless people who have secured many good things that are the highest principles of America. This is nonsense. Every day there are titanic forces and injustices that make a mockery of those sacrifices. And year by year, I'm on these G*d forsaken forums trying to preach and wake people up in the running community. I can tell you by the names of the most High and by secular principles, too that most middle class Americans are part of the forces of evil and destruction.

How is this libelous thread still alive, too? And that Tyler McCandless thread got deleted so quickly? The twitter accounts of popular runners just shows the complete philosophical and intellectual ineptitude in the community, which denigrates it.

"Earned not given." Really, Mr. Dunbar? What are you earning, besides the overinflation of the market of runners, selling their souls for 3 lone spots in the distance events. He earned his fitness, for sure. He earned his way to Oregon. Perhaps his family earned a homestead in Alaska, perhaps they have contributed to the armed forces. Insofar as contributions to America and its defense are concerned, does he consider himself unique? And a moral authority in those regards? And Alexis Pappas, the exemplar priority concern?

If a whole bunch of Greek women were actually qualifying for the Olympic middle-distance and distance events, maybe I'd have a problem with what Alex is doing.

Failing that, I'll just be happy for her.

Not a Trump Fan wrote:

Special Guy Roger wrote:

YOU DIDN'T BUILD THAT! Typical lib.

I'm a Republican and I agree completely. You shouldn't run for a country you have no connection with just because you technically can because of parentage. I think it is unpatriotic and a hollow accomplishment. If I the Greek Olympic committee I wouldn't want her running for us.

Yeah, but you're not so far as we can tell. How do you know how they feel? Since you have such a vacant knowledge of Greek history and the contemporary Greek nation, how would you know what their standards were? Wouldn't you want to at least find out and wait for some real Greeks to opine?

Obviously, you morons also don't believe in internationalism and what good something like this can do for America. Exchange of peoples between countries can help foster mutual understanding. Oh! screw that, you care more about your shattered running ego and jealousy than international peace. Or maybe you're a fascist in disguise. The Nazis hated internationalism, too. Tell me, too about the contributions of your family in the Second World War against the Nazis? Mr. Patriotic walk-the-walk of the armed forces, eh.

ringing endorsement wrote:

PLACP wrote:

Already stated my support in another thread.

We are all dealt different circumstances in life. She is using an opportunity available in hers.

If you wish ill on her because she is likely to go to the Olympics and be a non factor near the middle or back of the field then you need look at yourself and get help.

There's no reason to wish her good. She has no loyalty to the country that gave her everything she has, so there is no reason we need to root for her.

Has she been on welfare? I would say she earned what she has.

So what if she becomes a citizen of another country and competes for them? I would have if I could have.

Guru_sweatyrunnerthighs wrote:

Obviously, you morons also don't believe in internationalism and what good something like this can do for America. Exchange of peoples between countries can help foster mutual understanding.

Dude, we're not exchanging peoples to foster mutual understanding. She will train in Eugene, fly to Rio, put on a Hellas uniform for a qualifier heat, then fly back home to the USA.

And here's the final nail on the coffin. Tell me, you jealous jocks, where do the Olympic games come from?

These same Olympic games that your jealous egos devoid of humanity and humanitarian contribution and awareness, cry about,

have become a joke in this day and age. The middle classes dream of vainglory while corrupt governments, corrupt Olympic committees, and corrupt meddling multinational conglomerate corporations have turned it into a joke, sullen with blood money from afar and creating of suffering, money laundering and destruction and debt in the host countries.

Shame!

There are those who serve the banner of the stainless steel, who are true Americans, and then there are those conservative cliche jockeys who stain the name of America.

I'd be pissed if I was some Greek chick who had a shot at making her national team and now had her dreams dashed by some interloper. It would be like if Kenyans started moving to the U.S. and... oh, wait. Never mind.

Except in her case there is no female 10k runner in Greece who has a qualifying time, so she isn't taking a spot away from anyone.

I am half Italian and half US citizen. If I was able to run for Italia and honor my family and my heritage, I would.

This board has almost become unreadable. Is there anyone that is not a former B level distance geek besides myself? Biggest bunch of virgins on the planet. Not shocking our sport is considered a joke by real athletes.

Guru_sweatyrunnerthighs wrote:

The middle classes dream of vainglory while corrupt governments, corrupt Olympic committees, and corrupt meddling multinational conglomerate corporations have turned it into a joke, sullen with blood money from afar and creating of suffering, money laundering and destruction and debt in the host countries.

Shame!

Rock on, man.

You are either an adult certified nutcase or a pimple faced petulant middle school kid who knows nothing except perhaps how to play a video game and use a thesaurus. Your post is so full of crap that I can't figure out which piece of nonsense to address first. For some strange reason you think love of county, wearing USA across your chest and showing allegiance to something that deserves your allegiance in an irrational concept. Alexi has the right to represent Greece, the rules allow it, but that does not make it the honorable thing to do.

Guru_sweatyrunnerthighs wrote:

Yeah, but you're not so far as we can tell. How do you know how they feel? Since you have such a vacant knowledge of Greek history and the contemporary Greek nation, how would you know what their standards were? Wouldn't you want to at least find out and wait for some real Greeks to opine?

Obviously, you morons also don't believe in internationalism and what good something like this can do for America. Exchange of peoples between countries can help foster mutual understanding. Oh! screw that, you care more about your shattered running ego and jealousy than international peace. Or maybe you're a fascist in disguise. The Nazis hated internationalism, too. Tell me, too about the contributions of your family in the Second World War against the Nazis? Mr. Patriotic walk-the-walk of the armed forces, eh.

Guy, try to stick with simpler words that you can use properly. Also, as a rule, it generally sounds ridiculous when a person uses big words where small words will do.

You're welcome.

He is right.

How much times has she spent in Greece?

She'll forget about the Greece until the next Olympic cycle.

We are all visitors wrote:

I am half Italian and half US citizen.

errrr? Is it possible to be half citizen? Alexi is a full citizen of the USA and a full citizen of Greece. I couldn't give two shiites if she runs for Greece. She SHOULD do what's best for her and she has my support on this decision (and I'm sure she took that into account when she decided to do it, LOL).

Of course she did. She's like every other self serving distance runner. She'll run faster than Hasay this Olympic yr.

Dunbar should keeps his tweets to himself. Isn't he the one who jumped ship from Portland to Oregon only to be beaten by 2 Portland runners at NCAAs. He will end up being a professional pacer.

The main reason people are salty about it, is that Alexi is American. Her Grandma is Greek, so she's 1/4th Greek, but she lives in America her whole life. She was born here, she lives here, she went to school here, and she is probably going to continue to live here now that she has dual citizenship.

In my book, that makes her American. Not Greek. She's an American that's part Greek. But not both. She's just exploiting the system for her own personal gain. Props to her, although I don't like it, I'd do the same if I were her.

I mean, I'm 1/8th German, but if I were good enough to make Germany's Olympic team but not the USA's, I'd absolutely get dual-citizenship to make the Olympics if they'd allow me to do so.

Bleu wrote:

Dunbar should keeps his tweets to himself. Isn't he the one who jumped ship from Portland to Oregon only to be beaten by 2 Portland runners at NCAAs. He will end up being a professional pacer.

Where is there any indication that Dunbar's tweet was even about pappas? One person on a message board suggests it was for no apparent reason and suddenly it becomes "truth."